ERI Design

A golden award to match Valparaiso University's golden radiance 🏆

We're thrilled to be recognized with a Gold Award from the AVA Digital Awards, a prestigious international recognition program. This award represents more than the website itself—it reflects the vision and trust the Valpo team brought to this project. We're proud of what we built together.

View our case study for valpo.edu: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/case-study/valparaiso-university/

If you’re paying attention to , you may have seen this week’s piece in The Boston Globe by Yoohyun Jung. It’s worth your time.

Using enrollment data, closure maps, and labor market figures, Jung paints a clear and unsettling picture of where the sector is headed — and in some cases, where it already is.

Here are the findings we think matter most, and why: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/insights/the-numbers-dont-lie-what-the-latest-higher-ed-data-means-for-your-institution/

The Numbers Don't Lie: What the Latest Higher Ed Data Means for Your Institution – ERI Design Explore the latest insights on Higher Ed Data and its impact on college enrollment trends and educational ecosystems.

Last week, ERI's President & Chief Creative Officer Erjon Metohu and Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer Raffi DerSimonian visited Shepherd University to kick off the discovery process for the university's upcoming website redesign.

From rich stakeholder conversations to exploring this exceedingly charming college town firsthand, the visit gave our team the kind of grounded insight that shapes truly meaningful work. We came away energized and full of ideas.

A sincere thank you to the entire Shepherd community, and especially the communications and marketing team—for your generosity, perspective, and warm welcome. We're excited for what's ahead.

Generosity can move mountains. We've seen it with our own eyes.

At ERI, we have a strong set of values, a deep sense of gratitude, and an unwavering belief that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the communities that sustain them.

In a recent insight, Raffi DerSimonian breaks down the intentionality behind creating connections before raising funds.

Read more: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/insights/the-power-and-privilege-of-philanthropy/

The Power of Philanthropy in Community Building – ERI Design Discover the power of philanthropy and how intentional generosity shapes communities and creates lasting change.

Calling all strategy leaders, brand creators, platform builders, and mission drivers! 📣

Before you embark on your next redesign... pause. Let’s rethink the process together.

Join us on March 12 at 2 PM EST for a live : “Before You Redesign: Top 10 Essentials for Your Digital Doorstep to the World.” In this conversation led by Raffi DerSimonian, we'll break down the strategic foundation that can set you up for success — because an effective begins long before some might think.

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jhZWWMc0Rd2NN5AFGjevQg #/registration

Learn the secrets behind the strategic transformation advantage with ERI 🧑‍💻

On March 12 at 2pm EST, join Raffi DerSimonian as he dives into the strategic foundation behind a successful website redesign.

Together, we'll explore that often-skipped phase of strategy, and why getting it right creates exponential impact on everything that follows.

Save your spot: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jhZWWMc0Rd2NN5AFGjevQg #/registration

Valpo.edu: a digital home for purpose, joy, and discovery 💛

Our website redesign journey with Valparaiso University involved a mobile-first, mission-rooted process where Valpo’s values of faith, service, and academic inquiry shine through student voices, seamless UX, and vibrant storytelling.

The attention to real experiences, thoughtful design elements, and uniquely collaborative approach earned the site a 2025 Silver Davey Award in General Education, a testament to the power of intentionality, authenticity, and story-centered digital strategy.

At ERI, we feel an immense sense of gratitude toward the Valparaiso University team. Together, we made a rewarding impact.

Learn more about this project: https://www.eridesignstudio.com/case-study/valparaiso-university/

"I've heard a lot of people say that organic social media is dead. I wholeheartedly disagree. It's not dead, it's difficult, and it takes a lot of dedication, time, and patience."

Jenny Li Fowler's "Organic Social Media: How to Build Flourishing Online Communities" explores what it takes to enhance a brand's online presence, using outlines, objectives, and frameworks to provide the bigger picture.

In ERI's recent insight, Digital Strategist Jillian Cote breaks down her "Organic Social Media" reading experience, complete with key takeaways and personal notes to encourage every social media specialist in their professional pursuits.

Social Media isn't Dead, it's Difficult: Breaking Down Jenny Li Fowler's "Organic Social Media: How to Build Flourishing Online Communities" Jillian Cote breaks down the insights learned from Jenny Li Fowler's book "Organic Social Media: How to Build Flourishing Online Communities"

For the first time, ERI will be exhibiting at this year's American Marketing Association Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education!

We look forward to seeing everyone in National Harbor in just a few days—stop by booth #436 for good conversation, a sugar rush, and a pair of designer socks (ERI branded, of course) that are smart for town and casual for leisure.